LFHYB -Chapter 89 Ambition in Liaodong

Back in Luoyang for the New Year, their parents were very enthusiastic. Xiao Wu was even more so, clinging to Li Xuanba like a little tail.

Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji were less enthusiastic.

Li Jiancheng had matured considerably. Though not overly warm, he was at least friendly toward Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

Concubine Zheng’s second child was another daughter. Li Jiancheng, now a father of two daughters, should have matured accordingly.

Li Yuanji’s violent temper had softened, and he had become sweeter in speech. Li Yuan, who had originally disliked him, now seemed closer to him.

In public, Li Yuanji was polite to Li Shimin and Li Xuanba and could now formally address Li Xuanba as his third brother.

But in private, Li Yuanji always made provocative gestures toward Li Xuanba and said sarcastic remarks.

Li Xuanba thought this younger brother probably had a serious problem with his mind.

After a warm and cozy New Year’s Eve dinner, some turmoil broke out in the Tang Duke’s residence.

Li Yuanji wanted Li Shimin and Li Xuanba to give him a golden eagle. When Li Shimin refused, Li Yuanji threw a tantrum and cried.

Their parents tried to smooth things over, while Li Jiancheng took sides—truly a scene straight out of a household feud.

Li Xuanba, using illness as an excuse, went to live with Li Zhiyun at a villa on the outskirts of the city, leaving Li Shimin alone at the Tang Duke’s mansion to deal with the domestic squabbles.

Li Zhiyun asked in puzzlement, “Second brother, third brother, you have a new residence—why don’t you live there?”

Li Xuanba sipped some hot goat’s milk and said slowly, “The new mansion is even better than the Tang Duke’s mansion. Do you think my second brother and I dare to move in?”

Li Zhiyun pouted. “It’s an imperial gift! Why can’t you live there?”

Li Xuanba smiled, put down his cup, and patted Li Zhiyun on the head. “There will be even better residences in the future.”

Li Zhiyun huffed. “That’s not the big mansion we want now! I still want to go explore second and third brother’s new mansion.”

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba had given the emperor’s gifted mansion to their parents, yet Li Zhiyun was angrier than anyone involved.

Li Xuanba didn’t speak up, and Li Yuan could hardly have snatched the mansion from his sons. However, Li Xuanba’s initiative allowed the Tang Duke’s household to take over the property.

Even Yang Guang knew about this. Essentially, mansions granted to unmarried children were considered the parents’ private property. Even mansions given to married officials could reasonably be occupied by their parents.

Ancient people valued family highly. Li Shimin and Li Xuanba giving the emperor’s mansion to their parents was a clear act of filial piety.

Li Yuan enjoyed luxury and loved the new mansion Li Shimin and Li Xuanba had received. Naturally, he was very pleased when his sons willingly handed it over.

Li Xuanba took advantage of the situation to exchange the mansion for gold, silver, land, and servants from Li Yuan.

Compared to the mansion itself, “wealth” that could increase one’s strength during chaotic times was far more valuable. Li Xuanba had made a very profitable deal, though Li Zhiyun would never understand.

Li Xuanba patted his younger brother on the head and promised to take him horse riding once he recovered from his illness, which finally stopped Li Zhiyun’s complaints.

Although Li Shimin often took Li Zhiyun horse riding, Li Zhiyun preferred to cling to Li Xuanba.

It wasn’t about a special bond or eye contact—sometimes Li Shimin had a mischievous streak toward those close to him and enjoyed “teasing” them.

As Li Zhiyun grew older, he began resisting Li Shimin, the “annoying second brother,” though he had yet to succeed. That was why he always glared at Li Shimin.

Li Xuanba had once advised his second brother not to bully Xiao Wu too much, but Li Shimin laughed, saying that seeing Xiao Wu all puffed up in anger was too amusing to resist.

Watching Li Zhiyun fume… yes, it really was fun. He just had to restrain himself.

After Li Xuanba finished organizing his accounts for the properties he left in Luoyang, Li Shimin finally arrived, belatedly, carrying package after package.

Li Shimin complained, “If it weren’t for our parents’ sake, I wouldn’t have bothered pretending with them. Listening to all that nonsense in the back house gives me a headache.”

Li Xuanba said, “Household feuds are always like this. But soon, we won’t have to deal with them anymore.”

Li Shimin perked up. “Do you have a good plan?”

Li Xuanba handed Li Shimin a letter. “Because the world is about to plunge into chaos.”

Li Shimin: “……”

Li Shimin shrieked in surprise, “What?!”

Li Zhiyun ran in from outside holding the small leather ball Li Xuanba had made for him. “What happened? What happened?”

Li Xuanba raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t lying.

Li Shimin’s hands trembled as he opened the letter. The sender was Yuwen Shiji.

Since Li Xuanba’s first escort on the southern tour, he had maintained a friendly relationship with Yuwen Shiji. Any interesting new item would first be sent to him. His connection to Yuwen Shu was also through Yuwen Shiji.

Whenever there was a policy change from Yang Guang, Yuwen Shu and Yuwen Shiji were the first to inform him. Their cooperation was very smooth.

Li Shimin frowned as he read the letter. “Conquer Goguryeo… now? So soon?! What schemes is Pei Shiju plotting?”

Li Xuanba said calmly, “Pei Shiju gained the emperor’s favor by persuading him to personally campaign against Tuyuhun and tasted success, so now he seeks to take things further. Su Wei, Yuwen Shu, Pei Shiju, Pei Yun, and Yu Shiji—five great figures of the realm—have gathered.”

Li Zhiyun hugged his ball. “Should I not be listening?”

Li Xuanba said, “As long as you promise not to tell anyone else, you can stay and listen. You’ve reached the age to understand these matters.”

Li Zhiyun hesitated a moment, then nodded firmly. “Second brother, third brother, don’t worry. I’ll keep it a secret—even from Mother and Aunt…”

Li Shimin said, “It’s fine to call Aunt Wan ‘Mother’ in front of us. Just be careful outside; don’t give anyone a handle to use against you. Ugh, why am I saying this! I hate household feuds!”

Li Zhiyun put down his ball, wiped his hands with a cloth, and obediently sat beside Li Xuanba on the couch.

He helped straighten the blanket covering Li Xuanba’s legs and waist and said, “I’m ready. Second brother, third brother, continue.”

Li Xuanba explained Pei Shiju’s background, while Li Shimin continued reading the letter.

Li Shimin’s frown deepened, his fingers clenched tightly around the paper. By the time he finished, the letter was crumpled in his hands.

“Ridiculous, absurd, utterly absurd!” Li Shimin’s eyes were bloodshot. “Two years ago, we just campaigned against Tuyuhun; last year, we repaired the rivers in Jiangnan; and this year, we’re to conquer Goguryeo! Where will the money, grain, and labor come from?”

Li Xuanba had finished introducing the important ministers of the court to Li Zhiyun.

Last December, the virtuous and trustworthy Wen’an Marquis Niu Hong passed away. Yang Guang’s only morally reliable confidant was gone. Now the Dàyè era had entered the age of the “Five Nobles.” No one could restrain Yang Guang.

Li Xuanba said calmly, “Is it only about campaigning against Tuyuhun and repairing the Jiangnan rivers? In Dàyè Year One and Two, there was the Eastern Capital Luoyang, Tongji Canal, and the southern tour; in Year Three, the Chidao, Yulin Great Wall, and western tour; Year Four, the Yugu Great Wall and Yongji Canal; Year Five, the emperor personally campaigned against Tuyuhun; Year Six, Jiangnan rivers and southern tour… not to mention the dozens of palaces—Xianren Palace, Western Garden, Fenyang Palace, Jiangdu Palace, Jinyang Palace, and so on. Since His Majesty ascended the throne, the people of the Sui have never had a moment’s rest.”

Li Zhiyun clutched a corner of his third brother’s blanket, trembling.

He regretted it! Were these really words he was meant to hear?!

Li Shimin rubbed his brows, smoothing out the wrinkles between them, and said, “If the campaign against Goguryeo succeeds quickly, then it might still be manageable.”

Li Xuanba said, “The emperor is personally leading the army. Second brother, what nonsense are you talking about?”

Li Shimin gave a bitter smile. “Yes… he is personally leading the army.”

When they had campaigned against Tuyuhun, it had gone smoothly—but only until the emperor insisted on personally leading the campaign, ignoring advice, and crossing the Doudou Valley. As a result, over ten percent of the generals died, and the army had to retreat.

Now, with the emperor personally leading the campaign again… what kind of trouble would he stir up this time?

Li Shimin already knew from his brother’s prophecies that the Tang dynasty would eventually rule all under heaven. He had originally looked forward to the fall of the Sui and the rise of Tang.

But when the slow collapse of the Sui actually arrived, Li Shimin couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

Could the still-powerful Sui really crumble just because of a campaign against Goguryeo?

…

Half a month after Li Shimin and Li Xuanba received the letter, Yang Guang issued his edict.

In early February, Yang Guang’s dragon boat set out from Jiangdu, passing the Yellow River and the Yongji Canal on its way to Zhuo County.

At the departure, Yang Guang issued a “call for talent,” recruiting over three thousand reserve and lower-ranking officials to follow the court as candidates. While the dragon boat sailed along the rivers and canals, the candidate officials marched along the banks with the ceremonial guards and soldiers.

Li Yuan also received the edict and prepared to head north to Zhuo County.

In the original timeline, he would have only received the position of supervising the transport of supplies during the second Goguryeo campaign. In this timeline, because Li Yuan had gained Yang Guang’s trust early, he now received this lucrative assignment.

Li Yuanji and Li Zhiyun were still young, and Lady Dou did not accompany them this time.

Li Jiancheng, seeing that Li Shimin and Li Xuanba had achieved merit, also developed ambitions for recognition. He requested to accompany Li Yuan and persuaded him, allowing Li Shimin and Li Xuanba to remain behind.

Li Xuanba held back his second brother, who was eager to seize the opportunity, agreeing to stay in Luoyang.

By March, Luoyang was in full bloom, bathed in splendid spring sunlight.

Yang Guang arrived at Zhuo County, ordered the campaign against Goguryeo, and commanded officials across the empire to requisition food and levy men.

“The officials summoned by His Majesty’s call for talent marched over three thousand li along the riverbank! Ten to twenty percent of them died!” Du Ruhui drank his warm wine in one gulp, slammed the table, and cursed, “Over three thousand scholars! Worked to death, froze to death! What kind of ‘talent recruitment’ is this? This is a death sentence!”

Xue Shou’s eyes were bloodshot, silently drinking all the while.

Du Ruhui took a few deep breaths. “Good thing I resigned from office!”

Xue Shou muttered, “I was originally supposed to accompany a mission to Japan, but I didn’t want to go either. I don’t want to serve the Sui!”

Li Xuanba poured more wine for them. “If you can serve as officials, then do it. I’ll help you navigate the bureaucracy. Chaos will soon sweep the empire, and by then, you won’t even have the chance to safely accumulate experience as officials.”

Du Ruhui and Xue Shou suddenly looked up at Li Xuanba.

Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji, drinking nearby, choked on their wine.

Li Xuanba said, “Aren’t you curious how much Fang Qiao knows compared to you?”

Du Ruhui hesitated. “Li San, are your words dangerous?”

Li Xuanba said, “I won’t ask you to do anything dangerous. Speaking of persuading you to take office, what danger could that be?”

Du Ruhui stared at Li Xuanba’s face, as if trying to read something from his expression.

Li Xuanba said, “If you truly don’t want to, it’s fine. In six or seven years, you can prepare then. I’m just giving each of you one piece of advice.”

Looking at Du Ruhui, he said, “Persuade your elder brother to move house; don’t live in the same place as your uncle.”

Then he looked at Xue Shou: “Stop the reckless behavior of the Wei-Jin scholars, take care of your health, and don’t die young.”

Du Ruhui was astonished. “Ah? Xue Bopao will die young?”

Xue Shou said, “…Why would I die young?!”

Li Shimin looked at Xue Shou with sympathy. Poor Xue, finally getting spoiled by a prophecy.

Xue Shou said, “…Did you two exchange some strange things in a way we don’t know?!”

Du Ruhui looked at Li Xuanba thoughtfully.

Changsun Wuji, nervous, asked, “What about me? What about me?”

Li Xuanba said, “Nothing for you. I’ve told your father everything.”

Changsun Wuji, dissatisfied, said, “Why tell only my father and not me?!”

Li Xuanba shrugged helplessly. “Your father said that when you meet his requirements, he will tell you. He is my teacher; a student should follow a teacher’s orders.”

Hearing that it was his father’s command, Changsun Wuji could only sulk in resignation.

Du Ruhui blinked twice.

“Your father? Changsun Wuji’s father? General Changsun Sheng also knows?”

Li Xuanba had a few other teachers—did they all know too?

Du Ruhui suddenly felt a bit thirsty. After drinking the wine Li Xuanba poured, he wiped his mouth and asked, “How much does Fang Xuanling know?”

Li Xuanba said, “He knows almost everything he should.”

Du Ruhui sighed. “The reason Xue and I didn’t know—was it because our families tied us down more?”

Li Xuanba said, “Yes and no. That is part of it, but more importantly, some things are not good to say too early. I can’t tell Xue years in advance that he will die young, can I?”

Xue Shou held his forehead. “Don’t tell me now either! Li San, you can read faces?!”

After their initial surprise, they recalled Fang Qiao’s unusual behavior and the questions they’d pondered for years. Now that they had an answer, it wasn’t so shocking anymore.

Li Xuanba nodded. “Exactly.”

Du Ruhui sighed. “No wonder when I invited you to my house, your expression changed when you saw my elder brother. My brother even asked if he had unintentionally offended you. And you said you were just surprised by his extraordinary demeanor, far superior to mine.”

Li Xuanba smiled. “I didn’t expect you still remembered. You really are petty.”

Li Shimin nodded repeatedly. “Du Kemin, you really are petty to remember all that.”

Du Ruhui, embarrassed and angry, shouted, “I just have a good memory! I never forget anything I see!”

Xue Shou was amused by Du Ruhui’s reaction. “If you say it like that, then it must be stinginess.”

Changsun Wuji asked, “Li Sanlang, is the path you’re showing us now the smoothest one?”

Li Xuanba shook his head. “On the contrary, it’s not the path that belongs to your destiny.”

The three were shocked. “Ah?!”

Li Xuanba smiled. “Seeing the future and following the future—isn’t that boring? Originally, none of you had fully displayed your talents before your rise in six or seven years. How about gaining some early experience in officialdom? You might encounter dangers that wouldn’t have happened otherwise, but as long as you resign and retire after the second campaign against Goguryeo, your safety should be guaranteed.”

The three were dumbfounded.

They had assumed Li Xuanba, having admitted he could read faces, would show them the smoothest path. Who would have thought he’d point them to an unknown road? Is there such a friend??!

Du Ruhui asked, “Which path did Fang Xuanling choose?”

Li Xuanba said, “The path I didn’t see.”

Du Ruhui snorted coldly. “Then I’ll take the path you didn’t see too. Otherwise, if you’ve seen everything, how boring would that be?”

Xue Shou hesitated for a moment, then grabbed his cup and drained it. “If you really saw everything, that would be boring indeed.”

Changsun Wuji was dumbfounded. “Ah? You guys just fell for a provocation that easily?”

Du Ruhui rolled his eyes and said irritably, “What else? With Li San’s personality, if every step I take in the future is within his expectations, who knows how much trouble I’d encounter.”

Xue Shou nodded in agreement. “We can’t let Dade underestimate us.”

Changsun Wuji still didn’t understand, but he decided to go along. “Fine, I’ll choose a new path too! Li Sanlang, give me your advice!”

Li Xuanba said, “Just listen carefully to uncle.”

Changsun Wuji: “…That’s it?”

Li Shimin put a hand on Changsun Wuji’s shoulder. “You just need to study properly under uncle.”

Changsun Wuji was baffled. What was my original future? How is it enough to just study under my father? Did I rebel in my original future, refusing to learn from my father? That shouldn’t be the case.

Du Ruhui and Xue Shou, however, seemed to have figured something out.

They exchanged a glance but said nothing.

Du Ruhui toyed with his cup. “Li Sanlang, you can also interpret prophecies, right?”

Li Xuanba said, “I can also read the Chenwei. Want to hear it?”

Du Ruhui snapped irritably, “No.”

Xue Shou sighed. “Dade, restrain your supernatural powers. Today’s scare for Kemin and me is already enough.”

Changsun Wuji muttered, “I wanted to be scared, but didn’t even give me the chance.”

Li Shimin said seriously, “No, take my advice—you’d better not even think about it. A-Xuan really will scare you to death.”

Du Ruhui rose, flicking his sleeves. “I originally came today to bid you farewell, then return to Daxing to study in seclusion. Looks like that farewell will have to wait a little longer.”

Xue Shou still supported his forehead with his hand and sighed. “I originally told you there’s no need to bid farewell, because I didn’t want to go on the mission. Now it’s become a proper farewell anyway.”

Changsun Wuji wanted to fit in and say something too, but realized he had nothing to say. Life went on as usual. Sigh, how boring.

Li Xuanba rose and cupped his hands. “Take care. Remember to resign and return to Daxing after the second campaign against Goguryeo, or come directly to see me and Second Brother.”

Du Ruhui said, “Got it. And I should keep my elder brother away from our uncle, right?”

Xue Shou said irritably, “And take good care of my health, don’t die young.”

Changsun Wuji muttered, “Second campaign against Goguryeo? Such a tiny place, is a second campaign really necessary?”

Li Shimin sneered, “It’s an imperial campaign, after all.”

Everyone except Li Xuanba fell silent, their faces solemn.

After a moment, Du Ruhui asked, “Even if you don’t say it, Li Sanlang, I can see the realm is about to plunge into chaos. The Emperor cannot see the common people, but Qin and Han both fell due to popular uprisings. Powerful dynasties usually perish from within. Li San, does your Duke Tang Mansion aim to contend for the world?”

Xue Shou’s expression stiffened.

Changsun Wuji’s face shifted between astonishment and worry.

Li Xuanba didn’t speak, only extended his hand, pointing at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin crossed his arms and tilted his head.

Du Ruhui, Xue Shou, Changsun Wuji: “…Huh? Him?”

Li Shimin squinted. “What do you mean?”

Changsun Wuji waved his hands repeatedly. “I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it! Didn’t you say six or seven years later? He’s way too young!”

Du Ruhui said, “It should be the Duke of Tang, right?”

Xue Shou also said, “The Duke of Tang is indeed a hero.”

Li Xuanba said, “Both yes and no.”

He lowered his hand, then raised it again, continuing to point at Second Brother.

“You’ll know when the time comes.” Li Xuanba lowered his hand. “Take care. Although the path you’ve chosen is dangerous, as friends, I hope you can witness the rapid change from the Sui’s prosperous era to its chaotic decline. The chaos at the end of the Sui is nothing to fear; governing is the true challenge.”

Du Ruhui cupped his hands. “You’re confident. Does Fang Xuanling really know everything?”

Li Xuanba said, “He knows.”

Du Ruhui’s expression showed dissatisfaction. “Tsk. One step ahead of me.”

He twirled his robes and turned to leave.

Xue Shou adjusted his sleeves. “Will my future achievements be less than those of Fang and Du?”

Li Xuanba said, “You’ll die young.”

Xue Shou laughed. “Their victory is undeserved; let’s make it a little harder for them this time. I bid farewell.”

With that, Xue Shou also cupped his hands and departed.

Changsun Wuji pointed at himself. “What about me? Should I leave too? I was just drinking quietly, and now everything is changing too fast.”

Li Shimin hooked his arm around Changsun Wuji’s neck. “Leave? What are you leaving for? Come, continue drinking with me.”

Li Xuanba put away the wine jug. “Drink? Nonsense! Drinking too much is bad for your health!”

Li Shimin snatched the jug. “Nonsense. Come, help me hold A-Xuan down!”

Changsun Wuji rolled up his sleeves. “Alright! Future matters can wait—first, let’s grab the wine!”

…

In April, summer arrived. The Emperor of Sui moved into Linshuo Palace in Zhuojun.

Artisans, laborers, and soldiers all traveled north.

There were many pleasant spots for spring outings on the outskirts of Luoyang. Li Xuanba sat in a pavilion on a small hill, reading a letter sent by Yuwen Zhu.

Yuwen Zhu praised the iron pot and the stir-fry recipes Li Xuanba had sent her. She mentioned that she was learning to cook and often went to the market to buy exotic ingredients and spices.

“Today I went to the market and discovered that the price of millet has risen to 200 coins per dou. Grandfather wept upon hearing this, and my heart also mourns for how difficult life is for the common people.”

Li Xuanba ran his fingers over the line and let out a faint sigh: “The price of millet in Daxing has already reached 200 coins per dou…”

From what his mother said, during the Kaihuang era, millet in Daxing cost only 20–30 coins per dou. Even after Yang Guang’s many manipulations, last year the price in Daxing had only reached 70–80 coins.

Daxing was the region least affected by Yang Guang’s conscription of laborers, so prices had remained relatively stable. If even Daxing had millet at 200 coins per dou, what about other places?

The common people could hardly survive.

A servant said, “Third Young Master, that’s the banner of the Duke Tang Mansion! Second Young Master is returning!”

Li Xuanba put away the letter, mounted his horse, and rode down the hill to wait at the river crossing for the Duke Tang Mansion’s boat.

His mother wanted to send some items to Li Yuan, and Li Shimin took this opportunity to travel north with the boat to inspect the preparations in Zhuojun and broaden his experience.

When the boat docked, unexpectedly, Li Jiancheng had returned with Li Shimin.

Li Xuanba calmly greeted his two elder brothers, and only after returning home did he ask about the situation.

Li Shimin was silent for a long while, then leaned back on the couch, sighing: “A-Xuan, there’s an epidemic in Zhuojun, so Father sent Elder brother back first to prevent him from falling ill.”

Li Xuanba: “An epidemic…”

Li Shimin widened his eyes, staring at the ceiling beams: “The Emperor was in a hurry to build warships. The artisans worked day and night without rest. It was the first time I saw living men covered in maggots.”

Li Xuanba lowered his gaze.

Historical records note that the artisans and laborers building the warships “stood in water day and night without pause; below the waist, maggots appeared; a third or a fourth of them died.”

Li Shimin continued, eyes wide: “On the roads and rivers of Zhuojun, the supply carts for grain and provisions never stopped. The draft animals had all been replaced by laborers and soldiers, who kept collapsing. In the brief moment I watched, four or five fell. By the roadside, by the river, corpses piled atop corpses, decomposing together. All I could see were heaps of rotting flesh and flies.”

Li Xuanba still lowered his gaze.

Historical records also state that in Henan and Hebei, laborers hauling carts supplied the army, while in Jianghuai and Jiangnan, laborers transported grain by boat: “Tens of thousands of people were constantly on the roads; they blocked the ways, never ceasing day or night; the dead lay upon each other, the stench filled the roads.”

Li Shimin raised his arm to cover his eyes: “Not just Li Jiancheng—although I’ve been on battlefields and seen countless corpses, I still have nightmares… I have nightmares and fear closing my eyes.”

“The Emperor, Yang Guang, the Sui Yang Emperor—wouldn’t he have nightmares too?!”

His voice was hoarse, half-choked, half-shouting.

Li Xuanba said: “Holding the banner, governing Liaodong, capturing prisoners and changing barbarian customs. With clear songs, victorious on the waters of the nine capitals, returning to feast in the Luoyang Palace.”

Li Shimin, covering his eyes, said: “A-Xuan, why are you reciting poetry at a time like this?”

Li Xuanba’s expression was calm: “It’s ‘Record of Liaodong’ written by Yang Guang.”

Li Shimin bit his tongue and laughed hoarsely: “Good! Wonderful poem! Full of heroic spirit!”